Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Saints V Tottenham Hotspur The Verdict
Sunday, 26th Apr 2015 10:19

Perhaps the best game of the season at St Mary's if not the best result for Saints, but it leaves the season well poised with fifth still up for grabs.

A cracking game at St Mary's which in truth Saints really deserved to win although it has to be said that Spurs played their part in a match that first swung one way and then the other on several occasions.

Pelle's opening goal owed much to the fact that he never gave up what looked a lost cause and put himself in the position to toe poke home the ball to put Saints in the lead, it looked then like Saints would go on to win the game.

However Spurs came back right on the stroke of half time and it was a controversial moment, it has to be said though that few people in the ground initially picked up Lamela's handball, although it looked like it had just hit his side TV replays showed that the Spurs player had deliberately played the ball with his hand.

The second half was pretty much the same tempo as the first and Saints had a couple of chances to go ahead before they actually did on 65 minutes, Shane Long put in a great cross and Graziano Pelle rose to plant a firm header past Loris

The lead didn't last long though and a brilliant through ball split the home defence and Chadli put the ball across Kelvin Davis and into the far corner for the equaliser.

Saints tried to up the tempo in the final stages ad almost snatched it with the last touch of the game when Pelle's header grazed the crossbar.

But a draw it was to be, a result that suited Spurs better than it suited us, but there is still plenty to play for in the final four games of the season.

The real plus point was the performance of Pelle his two goals were both superb in different ways and he led the line well throughout the game to silence his critics, if he can hit this form in the final games and indeed if he gets the type of service he got for the second goal then we can push on with fifth place up for grabs.

No one should have any complaints about this performance although judging by some comments on the internet it seems many have with Steven Davis becoming the scapegoat after a couple of misses in this game, yes they weren't a pretty sight, but he isn't the first player in a Saints shirt to miss a good chance or misplace a pass, what he did bring to the team though was work rate and as much as Saints dominated in terms of chances, it was the visitors who dominated possession having 64% that perhaps tells you about why Steven Davis should be praised rather than criticised, he along with his fellow midfielders had to put in a tremendous amount of work when Spurs had the ball and it is perhaps telling that despite so much of the ball, Spurs rarely looked like scoring apart from when they did.

Overall though Saints an go into the final games with confidence that they can still compete with the best and that they are now scoring goals again with Pelle looking sharp.

Yes perhaps Saints did deserve more from this game, yes perhaps they should have taken a chance or two that they didn't, but it was a good team performance and we should applaud that and try to praise the reasons why we got a point rather than try and pick out individuals who can be blamed for not getting all three.

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



TeamCortese added 11:05 - Apr 26
Well put Nick! A very balanced article.

I was so proud of Southampton yesterday. We gave an incredible good account of ourselves and made a statement to our rivals that we're still up to the fight for the Europa League.

Football is a very fickle game. It was only 3-4 years ago I was used to seeing Southampton in the Football League section of the BBC. We should count ourselves very lucky and realise that we are envied, not just in UK, but across the World. Our rise has been meteoric and long may it continue.

Regarding the game, we deserved to win and whilst I agree Steven Davis put in a brilliant shift one has to question why he hasn't scored a single goal this season? If he could chip-in 5-10 goal (or even just assists) a season then he would undoubtedly be our best player. And if he wants to take Southampton to that next level then it's something he'll have to add to his locker.

Looking forward to next game though! #WeMarchOn
1

TimSaint added 12:15 - Apr 26
I have already provided my views on this game on the forum topics, but just so as I am not accused of being bias in any way, perhaps we should look at things from one particular website's point of view and see what they thought of Steven Davis' performance yesterday.

http://tottenhamhotspur.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/spurs-find-hero.html

Quite interesting reading from a Saints perspective :-)
1

saintsnutcase added 14:04 - Apr 26
We were brilliant yesterday. How Poch thought that Spurs were the better side is beyond me! Possession doesn't win matches.

However....we had two players who are not up to the standard of the top 6 in the Prem, and both were found out - Kelvin and Yosh (who will always make a costly mistake sadly).

Steve Davis definitely is up to top 6 level, but has had 2 shockers v Hull and Spurs.

Pelle was fantastic. I was completely wrong about him!
1

saintsnutcase added 14:10 - Apr 26
One more thing - Tony wasn t fit and hasn't looked the same since he moved from centre back
1

saintsnutcase added 14:11 - Apr 26
One more thing - Toby wasn t fit and hasn't looked the same since he moved from centre back
1

davepid added 16:09 - Apr 26
Mic, I'm surprised you leap to Davies defence. After all his glaring misses ,those of jwp and Pelles have been a regular feature of posts since Late last year.such misses have cost us several points and with them we would still be in a chance of champion league qualification.swansea,Spurs at home; Luverpool ,, wba and Spurs away: such misses cost us arguably six or eight points.

When a regular premiership player cant even hit the target twice from 12 yes , seemingly unchallenged, then I think it's reasonable to be critical without being accused of scapegoating.

By the way I think we can finish no lower than tenth after yesterday's results.

2

SanMarco added 20:03 - Apr 26
Kelvin should have saved both and agree with saintsnutcase on Yoshida not being quite up to it. Even so I was really pleased with the performance. We would have won with Forster in goal and if Steven Davis could hit a barn door but what the heck, more points than last season and 7th is the lowest we will come. Poch wasn't serious about them being the better team. Both Tottenham supporters I spoke to today were more than pleased with a point.
0

schatfield added 20:53 - Apr 26
once again, this article didnt mention that Kelvin cost us a win yet again. Very poor performance from him, as with Stoke, costing us maximum points. I seriously hope gazza gets 1st choice in the next game, cos Kelvin is the number 1 player costing us 5th place at this rate.
1

WestSussexSaint added 21:25 - Apr 26
I'm the first to get nervous when I see Yoshida in the starting 11, but I actually think he had a very good game. I would put Spurs second goal more down to an excellent through ball and finish although I think Kelvin should have done better given the tight angle.

Surprised there is no mention of Mane in the review who worked his socks off. He never gave the Spurs defence any peace and was a key part of both our goals. He was keen to go to ground a bit too often but other than that I thought he was superb.

I felt for Steve Davis as you could see he was as gutted as anyone missing those chances and despite this his overall display was good. Perhaps he should join JWP in shooting classes.

Finally it seems everyone is being a bit generous in not mentioning the woeful refereeing. This is the guy who is doing the FA cup final. I would be worried for Arsenal and therefore he could indirectly cost us a place in Europe!
2

SanMarco added 00:01 - Apr 27
Yes schatfield - cant see what there is to lose in giving Gazza a go. Kelvin has already cost us 3 or even 5 points.
2

IanRC added 00:15 - Apr 27
Disgusting piece of cheating by Lamela, exemplifies all that is wrong with football in the PL. in my admittedly biased view Mane should have been given a couple of penalties, think he is suffering from a tendency to go down too easily on other occasions. That said when Davies was injured it was unfortunate for him but a clear penalty as when he slipped he clearly took down Mane when he would have been through on goal. Thought Fonte marshaled that Spurs hotshot admirably. Very disappointing we didn't get a fair rub of the green by the referee again, just as well Pelle scored the first when he did as the referee ignored a blatant foul on Ward Prowse and possibly on Mane too just before it.
1

Jesus_02 added 08:51 - Apr 28
Bad day at the office for Davis who is normally one of my favorite players. Mane would have got my vote for MOTM if he got the goal he deserved. Spurs where there to be taken but 2 times in 2 we have let a lead slip.

Are we getting nervous? are players minds not on the ball? Is Nathanial Clyne going to be average for the remaining fixtures? We will find out against sunderland
0

SaintBrock added 09:43 - Apr 29
Blaming individuals may be unfair as RK insists often as in his opinion it is the system not the players that decide outcomes. However, the statisticians amongst us will be alarmed that we are starting to ship easy goals since Fraser Forster was crocked. Two each in the last two games. Kelvin does seem to lack agility and concentration 'though these days and that cannot be ruled out as a factor.
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 31 bloggers

Knees-up Mother Brown #22 by wessex_exile
Knees-up Mother Brown #18 by wessex_exile

Southampton Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024